Palau is one of the most beautiful tropical destinations on earth with a unique and fascinating array of reefs, water and islands. One of the features that are so striking about this island is the jagged peaks and spires giving the island its unique profile. Surrounded by multicoloured lagoons and crystal-clear Pacific waters, Palau is adorned with several awesome coral necklaces. Scuba aficionados throng into this small country for its amazing natural collection that comprises of sparkling sandy beaches, warm waters, unspoiled reefs, caves and an extraordinary marine life. Moreover, despite the aggression of modernism, the welcome by the local residents of Palau is still very much the same, warm, friendly and genuine. With so much of pampering elements around, you will discover that Palau has filled you with peace, delight and a wonderful sense of happiness.
Palau is a selection of coral-reef islands and atolls strewn across the North Pacific Ocean. This archipelago of around 200 islands is located 500 km east of the Philippines. Koror is the commercial and administrative centre point of this island nation and home to two-third of the country’s population. The most significant of the islands of Palau are Angaur, Babeldaob, Koror, and Peleliu. Most of them are inhabited and are connected to each other through a common barrier reef. The western island group of Rock Islands and that of the Southwest Islands, at 600 km from the main islands, are remote and have conditions deterrent to human inhabitation. Overall, Palau constitutes the part of the Caroline Islands chain and is considered to be part of Oceania region. The topography of the country is roughly rugged all along. It varies from mountainous main island of Babeldaob to low, coral islands that are usually encompassed by large barrier reefs. The climate of Palau resembles typical tropical conditions with high humidity levels and rainfalls all through the year.
Palau’s position on the western threshold of Oceania and its proximity to Southeast Asia have invited settlers from Indonesia as early as 1000 B.C. The ancestry of the nation is considered to be a mix of Malay, Melanesian, Filipino and Polynesian people. Palau was first sighted by the Spanish navigator Ruy López de Villalobos in 1543 and from a century later, Spain ruled the islands for next 300 years. Germany took control of the islands in 1899 but lost it to Japan after the defeat of First World War. Palau was designated as a UN trusteeship after Second World War and came under administration of United States of America following the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Palau became a sovereign state in 1994 and signed a Compact of Free Association with the U.S.
Palau is governed by a president who is considered both the chief of state and head of the government. He is elected by the Palauans above the age of 18 years every four years. The president is assisted by a vice-president and a bicameral legislative body of Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau. All the 9 members of the Senate and 16 members of the House of Delegates are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms.
The economy of Palau is prosperous enough to surpass the per capita income of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. It survives mainly on the basis of earnings from tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing.